Magic's Williams: Orlando Arena 'Best In Country'

INSIDE SPORTS

January 29, 1989|By Pat Williams, Special to The Sentinel

I remember very clearly when it all began. It was late May 1986. The groundswell of support to bring the NBA to Central Florida had begun. And I was in town trying to find out if it was for real and make one of the most important decisions of my life - whether to lead this community's effort to land a professional basketball team.

Coincidentally, at the same time, Mayor Bill Frederick was conducting a meeting of local officials, architects, construction moguls and so forth to discuss an arena in Orlando. I was invited to participate.

In my mind there were three major points to convey to this group. Most importantly, if Central Florida was serious about professional basketball, an arena was absolutely necessary to make it happen. Additionally, the arena should offer an intimate setting, and 15,000 seats, in my opinion, was the perfect size to do that.

I went away from that meeting satisfied that this community was committed to not only supporting a major-league sports franchise but also to building the finest, state-of-the-art arena in the country. I also was convinced that I wanted to be a part of it.

The remainder of 1986 was full of activity - securing season-ticket deposits, convincing the NBA to take us seriously, battling with Miami and the other cities in the running for an expansion team. But all of it was meaningless without an arena.

Mayor Frederick did not disappoint any of us. In January 1987, still four months before the NBA Board of Governors would make their final decision to bring Orlando into the league, the arena was officially launched and the ground finally was broken.

As I look back on all of this, I realize the building never would have happened without the spirit of cooperation that was displayed between Orange County and the City of Orlando.

Once everyone gave their approval, there was instant activity on the site across from the Orlando Expo Centre. Things that at the time were so exciting sound so mundane today. But, then, everything was significant and progress was quick. The massive hole was dug. Concrete piles were driven into the ground. The first piece of steel was in place. I still can see it all so clearly. But the end still seemed so far away.

Every day since construction began, I've driven by the site. There haven't been too many days that I've not taken a self-guided tour. When I say that I know every inch of that place, I mean it. In fact, I've ruined three pairs of shoes in the process, but all for a good cause, of course.

From the very beginning, Mayor Frederick was adamant that we must build a showpiece, one for this community to be proud of and the whole world to admire. Well, I never really appreciated what he was saying until this week, when I could finally see all the pieces coming together.

It is a magnificent building. Last week I took the owner of the Sacramento Kings, Gregg Lukenbill, on a tour. His reaction was that he's ''seen them all, but no building in the country has the classy touches that this one does.''

On another tour recently, Bob Fillpot, the architect who designed Orlando Arena and many other beautiful buildings throughout the country, told me that ''this is the only one that gives me goose bumps.''

Yes, it is an extraordinary building. But Orlando Arena is much more than just concrete, steel, beautifully landscaped grounds and thousands of glass bricks. Orlando Arena - and the key to its success - is people.

I can see the building now on event nights and just feel the anticipation and frenzy in the air. All of Central Florida will converge on downtown Orlando to share in the excitement. People will be everywhere. The atmosphere will be electric, especially at each home game.

The entertainment habits of Central Floridians never will be the same. Orlando Arena will now become the first place that residents stop to show off our area. Shows and entertainers of national acclaim will make routine stops. Major sporting events also will find their way here.

In retrospect, it's a miracle that we were able to sell more than 10,000 Magic season tickets without a building and seats to show. I am convinced that with the opening of this building, there will come a new demand for tickets. Once you see how intimate it really is, you won't be able to resist being part of the excitement.

Make no mistake - without Orlando Arena there would be no Orlando Magic or any other NBA team here. All of Central Florida, especially Mayor Frederick and his staff, are to be congratulated for having the foresight and vision to make the dream of Orlando Arena a reality. And for working so hard to get us where we are today.

The opening of this building marks a milestone for this community. Let us all share in it and revel in it. Because we are in the big leagues - and now we have the best arena in the country to prove it.